The Headsman eBook

distant glory and of grand repose, which so often
meets the eye, and so forcibly strikes the mind, of
him who travels in the deep valleys and embedded lakes
of Switzerland. The glacier of Valsorey descended
from the upper region nearly to the edge of the valley,
bright and shining, its lower margin streaked and
dirty with the debris of the overhanging rocks,
as if doomed to the fate of all that came upon the
earth, that of sharing its impurities.

There no longer existed any human habitation between
the point which the travellers had now attained and
the convent, though more modern speculation, in this
age of curiosity and restlessness, has been induced
to rear a substitute for an inn in the spot just described,
with the hope of gleaning a scanty tribute from those
who fail of arriving in season to share the hospitality
of the monks. The chilliness of the air increased
faster even than the natural change of the hour would
seem to justify, and there were moments when the dull
sound of the wind descended to their ears, though
not a breath was stirring a withered and nearly solitary
blade of grass at their feet. Once or twice, large
black clouds drove across the opening above them,
resembling heavy-winged vultures sailing in the void,
preparatory to a swoop upon their prey.

Chapter XXII.

Through
this gap
On and say nothing, lest a word, a breath,
Bring down a winter’s snow, enough
to whelm
The armed files that, night and day, were
seen
Winding from cliff to cliff in loose array,
To conquer at Marengo.

Italy.

Pierre Dumont halted in the middle of the sterile
little plain, while he signed for those he conducted
to continue their ascent. As each mule passed,
it received a blow or a kick from the impatient guide,
who did not seem to think it necessary to be very
ceremonious with the poor beasts, and had taken this
simple method to give a general and a brisker impulsion
to the party. The expedient was so natural, and
so much in accordance with the practice of the muleteers
and others of their class, that it excited no suspicion
in most of the travellers, who pursued their way, either
meditating on and enjoying the novel and profound emotions
that their present situation so naturally awakened,
or discoursing lightly, in the manner of the thoughtless
and unconcerned. The Signor Grimaldi alone, whose
watchfulness had already been quickened by previous
distrust, took heed of the movement. When all
had passed, the Genoese turned in his saddle, and
cast an apparently careless look behind. But the
glance in truth was anxious and keen. Pierre
stood looking steadily at the heavens, one hand holding
his hat, and the other extended with an open palm.
A glittering particle descended to the latter, when
the guide instantly resumed his place in advance.
As he passed the Italian, however, meeting an inquiring